Presidency University not allowed to screen film

While one of the top Kolkata universities, Presidency, was not allowed to screen award-winning documentary Ram Ke Naam on Monday, the students of Jadavpur University could successfully screen it on their campus. The students of Kolkata’s premier universities were screening the film in solidarity with the Hyderabad Central University students, after six of them were detained for organising its screening. The film by Anand Patwardhan is based on the 1992 Ram temple movement following the demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya.The scene at Jadavpur University was tense before the screening, organised by the Department of Film Studies. Several students voiced their concern regarding the growing intolerance in the country. ‘Against freedom’“It is extremely sad that we have reached a point where a simple film screening is seen as a threat by the authorities and leaders. This is against basic freedom of speech and expression,” said Ritapriya Ghosh.“The permission (for screening it) was sought by the students some days ago and the authorities granted it,” JU Registrar Snehamanju Basu said.Screened earlierThe documentary has previously been screened several times in Kolkata without any resistance from any political party or authority. Kasturi Basu of the People’s Film Collective, a Kolkata-based cultural group, questioned Presidency University’s decision. “Ram Ke Naam has a ‘U’ certification from the CBFC, meaning that even children can watch it. No university can say that film, as a medium of learning, is not allowed,” she said.Presidency University students’ union spokesperson Sayan Chakraborty said there was no update from the authorities.Dean of Students Arun Maity said: “We will confirm if the students had the necessary permission… Presidency had never encroached on the right of students and promoted liberal views.” Registrar Debojyoti Konar could not be contacted.(With PTI inputs)